As Paliborn stirred from his slumber, his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit surroundings of a cavernous hall. An abundance of riches, including gold, silver, and a myriad of other precious metals, overflowed from every corner, as if beckoning him to dive in and swim among them. The treasure's allure was short-lived, however, as the disoriented adventurer quickly sought a way out of this glittering maze.
"Hallo! Is there anyone here? Where's Allendra?" Paliborn called out, his voice echoing off the walls.
"Hail, good fellow! You've come to your senses at last," came a voice from the shadows.
Paliborn strained to pinpoint the source of the disembodied voice, which seemed to reverberate from every direction.
"Kind voice, could you speak more softly?" he implored.
"Your mind is in disarray, Pal. If you concentrate, you may hear me clearly, free of echoes."
"How might I accomplish that?" Paliborn asked, trying to shake the ringing in his ears by digging his fingers into them.
"The solution is quite uncomplicated. Expunge Allendra from your thoughts," the voice proclaimed.
"That's impossible, sir. Allendra is of great significance to me. I cannot simply purge her from my thoughts," Paliborn protested.
"You are dying of poison, Pal. You have muddled up this time. I extend to you a favourable option for staying alive," the voice said sternly.
"Ah, I see now. I am poisoned and in a feverish state. I must be dreaming, then," Paliborn reasoned, his mind struggling to make sense of his predicament.
"In some measure yea, in some measure nay, my friend," spoke the echoing voice. "This is a dream that shall bear consequences in the world of waking."
"I confess my confusion," stuttered the halfling.
"This is a realm that exists in parallel with your mind, Pal. Only by distancing yourself from the troubles that afflict your thoughts may you escape."
"Back in this cursed place again? I have trodden this ground before, sir. I am prepared to meet you with my experience. Reveal yourself." Paliborn stood resolute, his form towering over the pool of shimmering metals.
"Aye, we have crossed paths before, Pal. Yet this time, the matter is different."
"How so?"
"The weight of the girl bears down heavily upon your mind, Pal, threatening to tear you asunder. You must free yourself of this burden, and soon."
"Again I say, Allendra is no burden to my mind. I can handle it."
"Alas, Pal, the matter is far from simple. Persist in this way, and you shall make grave mistakes. Choices are your mastery."
"No, I abhor the weight of choosing. Countless of my comrades perished due to my decisions," Paliborn protested with a despondent tone.
"Dylan and the other knights didn't meet their demise because of your choices, Pal. They selected their own paths and decided to join you. Hence, you mustn't carry the burden of guilt," the other voice replied.
"Look, Dylan is also dead. Another one lost. This is exactly what I'm talking about. If I don't bear the guilt, how can I make the right decision next time?" Paliborn bellowed.
"To be honest, that's a commendable inquiry, but I'm not the one to respond," the voice retorted.
"You're evading the issue, sir. Please, don't beat around the bush. If you're about to offer me a choice, disclose your intentions."
"I adore your spirit, Pal. You can humble even the gods. You're correct. It's time for a choice that will steer your fate."
"Go on, God of Choices, spill the beans," Paliborn said cheekily.
The source of the voice burst into a hearty laughter.
"If you wish to follow Allendra, you shall have to make a sacrifice that holds great value," the voice said solemnly.
"And what might that be?" Paliborn inquired.
"That is a decision you must make for yourself. But what will you offer me in exchange?"
Paliborn glanced at his pockets and pouches, all of which were barren.
"As you can see, I am bereft of possessions. And yet, from what I gather, you have all that you require. What could I possibly offer you?" he quipped mischievously.
"Come now, my friend. You know well that I do not seek anything material from you."
"A pledge, then?"
"No. Your word holds value, I concede, but I seek something far more valuable still."
"Such as?"
"I want what defines you."
"My dauntlessness?"
"No, Pal. Something that holds even greater value. That which imparts you with courage, that which sets you apart as a leader, that which distinguishes you from others. That which makes you unparalleled."
"My luck, perhaps?"
At this, the voice chuckled warmly once more. "Even Zachary, the God of Luck, was never as fortunate as you, Pal. Do you not know this? It is what enables you to use your luck with precision."
Paliborn pondered deeply. "Could it be my ability to make decisions?"
"Indeed, Pal. You have discerned it at last. You possess a mind that can chart the most advantageous course and make the most judicious choices. It is a remarkable power, an exceptional aptitude, something that would make even the gods envious. Will you relinquish it for the sake of this maiden?"
Without hesitation, Paliborn replied, "Yes."
"I hope you won't rue the day you made your choice, my dear friend. You shall not recollect these happenings. You two shall soon cross paths once more, but neither shall be the same. Are you still resolved?"
"Hold your horses. She won't remember me? Is there no other way to reach her?" Paliborn rifled through his options.
"You shall reach her, but she shall be a wholly different individual. Even if she elects to recollect your bond, Allendra who stands before you will not be the one you once knew. Change has already begun to stir within her. Perchance, by lingering in her company, you can retard it, but her fate is inexorable. You must understand this."
"Understood. Might I have a chance to find her and refresh her memory? Bestow this boon upon me, I implore you," Paliborn beseeched.
"Your gift of gab remains as sharp as ever, Pal. Indeed, there is always a chance, my friend."
"Then it is settled. But wait, one more thing. Please, honorable God of Choices, take her away from this place and send her to a haven of safety. She's too young to bear the brunt of what has befallen us. I refuse to let her be further scarred. And if it's necessary, erase my memory from her thoughts for her well-being."
"I shall endeavor to comply with your request. However, it is no simple feat to erase memories from one whose curse is to remember all. Nonetheless, do not despair, Pal. Perchance, our paths will converge once more. Until that time arrives."
"Until then," Paliborn nodded.
The diminutive halfling was slowly consumed by the vast pool of glittering coins. His mind was a jumbled mess, and all he could think of was Eli, his beloved friend. As Paliborn stirred from his slumber, he discovered himself reclining on a sandy shore, with the first light of dawn creeping over the horizon.
"Ahoy there, my halfling friend. What brings you to these shores at such an early hour?" queried the seasoned fisherman, his countenance marked by the scars of a life lived on the rough seas. A fishing rod was clasped in his weathered hands, his eyes roving over the prone figure of the halfling.
"I?" questioned the halfling in confusion. "I am not sure. I presume I was basking in the sunlight. Ah, my belly is aching with hunger. Pray tell, where am I? The gusty wind and raucous seagulls make it all the more difficult to discern. It could be that I went for a swim. Or was I sleeping? I recall having a dream about a barren wasteland, with serpents and such...madness... the capriciousness of the gods...fate... and don't get me started on the insipid stench of fish bait."
The man was at his wits' end listening to the halfling's incoherent ramblings and had to interrupt him, "Calm yourself, my friend. If you could speak at a more moderate pace, it would make things easier to comprehend. You are situated near the town of Dearborn, with the Endless Sea stretching out before you. Accompany me, and I shall prepare for you some freshly caught fish. You may share your tale along the way."
"That sounds splendid, sir. Will it be trout or sea bass? Have you ever had the fortune of catching an octopus? Once, I was ensnared by a colossal octopus, which dragged me to the ocean's depths... or perchance, it was a giant seahorse. Alas, my memory fails me," the halfling prattled on, sounding like a lunatic, while the man patiently listened and intermittently interjected,
"The poor thing must be in a state of shock. He is babbling incoherently."
* * *